Back to the Bay

There are so many things to share about the Bay Area but today I will focus on Mill Valley. I just got back from a fantastic weekend with my westies and spent time wandering in downtown Mill Valley exploring. It is an eclectic and always inspiring group of stores, cafes and restaurants.  Always a pleasure to pop into the shops and wander aimlessly.  So here's a little tour.

Just simply walking with no destination yields many finds.

Or stroll to the Depot  for a latte and organic scramble...

...grab some stems at the Mill Valley Market to brighten the day

Pop into baby & kids company for unique books, toys and clothes.

...or find a fantastic fit at  the Blues Jean Bar. This place openend on Union St. right before I moved to FLA and they are the most helpful at finding the right fit for you. It is great to know there is one in Mill Valley. A large selection and well edited styles makes trying on jeans a pleasure.

A stop at the store always yields something fun. I always seem to find a little goodie and lots of smiles in this store.

This place is new to me, Mint.  What a breath of fresh air it was. There was so much to see, and all of it displayed with care and an impeccable eye. 

And the last stop on the tour is another new one (to me). In the charming former space of Maison Reve is  showroom.

This store was such a treat I went back three times. The owners are both lovely and clearly creative  thinkers. Original artwork of one of the owners is displayed nicely above the clothing racks for a touch of home. And in talking to the other owner we discovered we both grew up in Toronto. Which is always a fun discovery for me. Their eye is on trend and well edited. The store has a very welcoming vibe.  These ladies have done a great job in creating what is obviously a well thought out collection.  I had a hard time choosing but the Clare Vivier clutch kept jumping out at me... 

These two beauties made it into my suitcase... thank you showroom for stocking such amazing choices!  

check out the showroom's facebook page and like! 

I can't wait to head back to MV.  

To my westies (besties in the west), thanks for a perfect weekend.

xoox

cat

ps: KJ - keep painting :)

all images ©canvasstyle

please link back thanks

a little summer hideout

For the last couple of weeks I have been collecting these images and feel like doing two things:

1.  Put a teepee in our playroom

2.  Put a teepee in the store

Of course they all think I'm nuts/kidding at the store. But really I'm not.  

This is a store in Amsterdam called Sukha...great idea to display pillows and rugs and a cozy nook for littles when they come with their parents to shop. 

playroom, library, home office, kids bedoom, beach ... a sunny corner and a few cozies work

we can start with this...

add pillows, a big flokati and soft down comforters

I think I would take a nap in it. 

images found: 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 

sleep over

When I was little we had a farm outside of the city where we would go every weekend.  On it was an old farmhouse that my parents lovingly restored.  A steep set of stairs lead to a giant open attic that ran the length of the house.  It had sloped ceilings and dormer windows.  My parents painted it sunny yellow and put 6 twin beds in it.  Pine chests at the end of each bed were full of toys and treasures. 

A few simple throw rugs and colorful vintage quilts made for a special hideaway for my sister and I. 

I have been thinking about that room lately and thought I would share a few images of bunk rooms I have been collecting this past few weeks.  Whether bunks or twin bed nooks, there is something magical about a room like this.  

Lots of memories and a sense of adventure are created in a space 

made just for kids tucked away from the rest of the house.  

Here's to summer nights and flashlights under the covers.  

images found: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7